Cristiano Ronaldo was a notable absentee as Al Nassr faced Al Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League, with reports emerging from Portugal claiming the forward has gone on strike.
Ronaldo was not included in the starting XI and was also missing from the substitutes’ bench, fueling speculation about growing tensions behind the scenes. Despite his absence, Al Nassr managed to secure a statement victory, continuing their recent run of strong league performances.
Softfootball understands that Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction is linked to concerns over how Al Nassr are being run, particularly in comparison to other Saudi Pro League clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). While Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad have invested heavily in high-profile signings, Al Nassr’s business this transfer window has been limited, highlighted by the arrival of a young Iraqi midfielder.
Ronaldo is believed to feel that Al Nassr are not receiving the same level of financial backing as their title rivals, a situation he sees as undermining the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
The situation has sparked widespread debate among fans, many of whom focused more on Ronaldo’s absence than the result itself. With Al Nassr proving they can win without him, club executives are now under pressure to resolve the standoff before it escalates further.
